Thursday, October 21, 2010

A Gathered Waist Skirt That Works!‏

I couldn't get the idea of a full skirt for fall out of my mind. I again used Butterick 5285, but this time cut 4 inches off each side. I used a lightweight wool from an Ebay seller who said it was from a Liz Claiborne factory in Fall River, MA. It's a lovely, soft fabric that lets off that great wooly, sheepy smell when pressed. The wool is much more drapey and lightweight than the stiff cotton poplin in my first version, so this one actually worked.

This pattern doesn't call for a lining, but I wanted to line it since the skirt's wool. A commenter helpfully said that she lines gathered skirts by making folds (pleats) in a self-drafted lining. I dropped the lining in, matching up the side seams, and made folds until the lining was the same size as the skirt.

The waistband is then stitched over top of both layers. I was intimidated by the thought of how this would work, but it ended up being SUPER easy. (Thanks, Slapdash Sewist!)

I wore this to the office with this JCrew cropped jacket and pointy heels. (The shoes are the Nuncio from Nine West. It's the perfect dress shoe! The heel is high enough to give that sexy lift, but short enough to be comfortable and walkable. I have 2 pair, and ordered a black pair on sale from DSW yesterday! I'm all about buying in pairs [or triples] when I find something I love.)

Wonderful skirt! This is such a fabulous wardrobe basic - it's very on trend but also looks classic and extremely elegant. The fabric looks perfect - it drapes so nicely and the colour is going to co-ordinate with anything and everything. I bet you will be wearing this a lot!

I couldn't leave without telling you that I'm super-super impressed with what you're doing over here. What a great challenge! I'm a clothing designer, so I absolutely dig this kind of thing! For being a beginner, your doing extra, extra AWESOME!Kristina J.